Serious coffee place in Vancouver?

[UWSMom]

In Vancouver on vacation and looking for a place that is serious about coffee. Some place like Stumptown. Any recommendations?

[elvisahmed]

So I got to 49th parallel yesterday. It was kind hard to find as I am new to Vancouver. When I walked in the initial impression was style over substance! But I said I will pass judgement after I have tried the Cappuccino. They had only one size so I ordered it and without asking me they made it to go so they had to redo it for me. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste the espresso was stronger than Artigiano (perhaps I ordered a larger size had something to do with it) and had nice finish. Milk was frothed just right. So far I would rank it above Artigiano and JJ beans. next stop Cafe Prado and Elyse followed by Kafka!

[elvisahmed]

Well I just arrived from Toronto here and have so far tried JJ Bean and Artigiano. I think Artigiano cappuccino has an edge over JJ bean so far Both are better than anything that I have tried in Toronto. 49th Parallel is on my list an so is place called Bojangles (friend's recommendation) I guess I can add Kafka too. Just to confirm this one is on main Street right?

[fmed]

I say pass on Bojangles.

Kafka is on Main near Broadway.

Here is forum member peter.v's coffee list: http://www.chow.com/lists/1466?tag=po...

It is relatively current. (Kafka is not on the list though...)

[grayelf]

Don't miss Elysian, either the one on Broadway nearish Cambie, or the one on 5th just east of Burrard. Our very own peter.v might even be the guy to pull your drink :-). He recently introducted me to the joys of iced siphon coffee, mmmm, though you might want to hold the ice given the autumnal turn the weather has taken...

[peter.v]

Oof, I've been outed! Yes, I work at Elysian, but I stand by my list as I made it when I was out of the industry.

Kafka's is good but it hasn't been added to the Chow database, so I've been unable to get it into the list. I know most of the folks there and they have been making some great coffee. Definitely the best of the spots on Main Street (by a considerable margin).

And grayelf, hate to be a geek here, but the iced coffee was made with the Clover. I wish we had siphon coffee, but alas, we don't. The Clover is a hybrid between the french press and the siphon.

[grayelf]

You're not being a geek, I'm being lame. I KNEW siphon wasn't correct but I couldn't remember the right name. Shoulda PM'd you. Thanks for correcting.

[tangentdesign]

Another reason to check out Kafka's on Main is the variety of methods to offer to prepare a cup of coffee - they've got espresso (of course) but they also offer old fashioned syphon and the low tech aeropress. I don't think anyone else in town offers these two brewing methods. Syphon is worth it just for the theatrics...

[mh0408]

La Cuisson Coffee Shop is a place I really enjoy for coffee. It's in Richmond but they roast their on beans in store and have a bunch of Siphon coffees. The guy has even been on T.V. and teaches coffee class at his store after hours!

[fmed]

I really like this place. A totally different vibe from the rushed 3rd wave coffee shops downtown. Order the syphon coffee as it is what they specialize in. Their espresso drinks aren't as good.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/563078

[ange7a]

According to Kafka's twitter feed, they are now also brewing with the Aeropress on request! Very interesting. Siphons are also on the way, apparently.

[tangentdesign]

I agree with the elsyian room and kafkas as a newcomer. But the true test of a decent cafe is if you order an espresso macciato and the Batista gives you a knowing nod and possibly a wink.

[eatrustic]

Ah, but in places like Elysian room, 49th Parallel etc. ordering a Macchiato wouldn't even raise an eyebrow since they're such a part of the classic "Barista" repertoire.

[tangentdesign]

I've coffeed all over town, including these places, and received many raised eyebrows of approval from the baristas. Even though the macchiato is part of their classic repertoire, it's an under-ordered item.

[Beach Chick]

Caffè Artigiano is one of the best places to get a latte/coffee and to be honest, better than Paris!
We always went to the location next to the Fairmont hotel near Robson.

www.caffeartigiano.com

[poser]

Better than Paris? Talk about a back handed compliment! France has about the most gawd awful coffee in the entire continent. Even worse then England. Well, maybe not that bad, but you get the idea.

[vandan]

now if the English could only find a way to deep-fry their coffee it might have a chance, look at the heights it has taken MARS bars

[hrhsheba]

As a somewhat disgruntled, but well-caffeinated, Brit, I`d like to point out that the deep-fried Mars bar actually originated in Scotland, not England.

[Beach Chick]

poser..
you crack me up with your coffee comments.
love Paris coffee..lattes in the 7th..
I find British coffee horrid..unless I'm at Cliveden house in the Berkshire countryside.

[rainey]

Wow! Last time I was in Vancouver they had the Pender and the Hornby locations.

They are growing! But I'm not the least surprised. You could barely get into the Robson & Hornby spot at lunchtime.

[grayelf]

Yeah, they are everywhere it seems, with yet more new locations pending. It may be just my imagination but I don't enjoy their coffee as much as I used to. I am going over to the dark side (Intelligentsia) I fear :-). I heard a rumour that Elysian is switching to all Intelly soon.

[fmed]

I've been preferring JJ Bean's roasts over 49th's lately in both flavour and consistency.

[grayelf]

Everywhere, or a particular outlet, fmed?

[fmed]

I mean to purchase in 1-pound bags.

[UWSMom]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I stopped by Kafka Coffee and it was delicious. I had the Mexican latte. Definitely worth adding to Peter v's list. I'll check out some of the other recommendations also.

[grayelf]

So glad to see a report on Kafka's. I noticed it while waiting for public transit and thought it looked worthy. I'm thinking a Mexican latte is on my list of things to try soon. What exactly is in it?

[UWSMom]

It was a latte with condensed milk, not too sweet, nicely balanced. My husband had the espresso and said it was one of the best he's ever tasted, and he's obsessive about espresso. Nice space also.

[grayelf]

Excellent, I was hoping you would say that. I have had Artigiano's version, which they call a Spanish latte, and found it good but I'm not such a fan of their coffee anymore. Will deffo hit Kafka's to try this coffee treat :-).

[rainey]

Artisiano near the museum downtown on Robson & Hornby.

[waylman]

Best coffee I've had in Vancouver is here:

http://www.49thparallelroasters.com/
2152 4th Avenue West